Hattons Dave

Hi Guys We have produced a short video introducing our Austerity models. Take a look and let us know what you think. Cheers Dave

Hi NickC The decoder socket is located in the smokebox, the door is held on with a magnet and then the socket can be pulled out (it's on flying leads) and the decoder installed. There will also be a pair of leads that can be attached to a sound decoder that lead under the cab to the bunker and can be soldered to a sugar cube which has a small enclosure under the coal load. It is very similar to the J94/Austerity design. Cheers Dave

Hi all, We have a small list of items to be sorted on these but we feel we have to clarify the numberplates as it has caused a lot of discussion. We have asked China to make the plates a fraction larger to fit the recess correctly. As it is, the plates are a fraction under scale and the recess is the correct size. Neither us or Dave Jones were happy about them and we appreciate this has also been the opinion of a lot of others on this forum. We will be getting this sorted as we agree it spoils the look of the model. With regard to the idea for 'pips', we have spoken to an industry expert (who produces etches) and they agree with us that etching both sides of the plates, where high accuracy is needed such as in this case, is not practicable due to the process used to create them. Double sided etches are not common (we have never come across any in either the model railway or other modelling industries) and we cannot find any other way of doing it as reliably as increasing the size of the plate to fill the void. This is top of our priorities and it will be sorted before the models are released and we will show the new sample as soon as we receive it. Cheers Dave

Hi SRman, We have carefully chosen the RAL numbers and Pantone colours to best represent the colours of the units. These have been used as we know they can be reproduced in model form. We will publicise the colour samples as we get them and ensure all colours are correct before committing to production. The colour layouts have taken many hours each to produce using images of the exact units meaning they are as accurate as it is possible to make them. Cheers, Dave

Hi David, BR green versions will be available as part of Dapol's own releases of these units. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, We've now completed the colour layouts for our exclusive variations of Dapol's Class 121 and 122 which are available for review below, with further details available HERE. As ever, click the images below for larger versions. We are no longer producing the weathered variations of these vehicles - anyone with an outstanding order for a weathered sample will be automatically transferred to a pristine edition, however if anyone has any queries please get in touch via the website or phone. 4D-009-HAT01 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 120 in 'GWR 150' Chocolate & Cream livery 4D-009-HAT02 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 121032 in Arriva Trains Wales livery 4D-009-HAT03 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 960011 in Railtrack blue & green livery 4D-009-HAT04 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 121020 in Chiltern blue livery 4D-009-HAT05 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 55033 in Revised Network South East livery 4D-009-HAT06 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 960010 in Railtrack "coaching stock" maroon 4D-009-HAT07 - Class 121 single car DMU 'Bubblecar' 55022 in Original Network South East livery 4D-015-HAT01 - Class 122 Gloucester RCW "Bubblecar" single car DMU TDB975023 in Route Learning BR blue livery Cheers, Dave

As requested, a few additional 'Right hand side' shots as well as a photo of all sixteen as they stand currently. Numberplates have been received for the initial 8 featured last week too. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Another visit from Dave Jones today saw eight more colour samples arrive. These also came with pre-fitted etched numberplates. We're aware the late crest needs minor tweaking but it is in hand. H1408 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5816 in BR Lined black with BRITISH RAILWAYS (Gill Sans) H1409 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1470 in BR Lined black with early emblem H1410 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5819 in BR Unlined black with early emblem H1412 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1474 in BR Unlined black with early emblem - Heavily weathered H1413 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1444 in BR Lined green with early emblem H1414 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1450 in BR Lined green with late crest H1415 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1432 in BR Lined green with late crest - Heavily weathered H1416 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1409 in BR Unlined green with late crest Cheers, Dave

Hi all, To answer a few queries. Coy, we're intending to have stocks of all sixteen releases available for purchase at time of release. Colhut, yes, all six wheels have pickups fitted. RE the alternative pictures and those of BR versions, give me a few minutes.... Cheers, Dave

Hi all, One thing I forgot to mention - both locomotives will come pre-fitted with the authentic Golden Arrow headcode ('46') at the end fitted with headboard and flags, and red blinds fitted to the alternative end. A pack of alternative headcodes will be supplied with each locomotive should you wish to alter these. A mid-September to October release for these is looking likely. Cheers, Dave

Hi, Believe me, it was a tough call for us too. A number of options were left on the cutting room floor (as I imagine is the case for all projects from all manufacturers) due to simply being uneconomical to produce, and the 'as delivered' locos were one of these due to the number of modifications required to the tooling. As mentioned previously, it isn't a case of just providing replacement cabsides - it would require a whole new cab tooling and the cost of accommodating this versus the number of models in our production list it affected meant it wasn't viable for us. As members of the Class did appear with 'Great Western' lettering and with cab steps, we have included this livery on appropriate examples to cover the most of the lifespan of the locomotives with the tooling we have available. Hopefully the above provides an insight as to why we can't accomodate for the cab steps however I will review our archives further when back at the office to see if an alternative running number can be found to compliment those chosen by ourselves in this condition as another option for you. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, I can confirm that the following have been produced and are now on their way from China. The remainder are following shortly behind and we're expecting all locomotives to be with us in August. J9401 - Austerity 0-6-0ST "Robert" in NCB Bold Colliery lined green J9402 - Austerity 0-6-0ST 71515 in Mech Navvies maroon J9407 - Austerity 0-6-0ST No 4 in NCB Backworth Colliery lined black J9408 - Austerity 0-6-0ST 98 "Royal Engineer" in Army green Cheers, Dave

Hi all, After discussion with Dave Jones, we can announce that we have commissioned two exclusive variants of the forthcoming DJ Models Class 71, uniquely supplied with 'Golden Arrow' embellishments. Both will be provided with pre-fitted Golden Arrow headboards and insignia, and will commemorate both the first ‘Golden Arrow’ service hauled by an electric locomotive ( E5015 on 12th June 1961 ) and the final ‘Golden Arrow’ on the 30th September 1972, hauled by classmate E5013. The specifications will be the same as already announced by Dave Jones for the Class 71 model, with two releases available from ourselves as follows. OO71-002HAT- Class 71 E5015 in BR Southern Region light green with full Golden Arrow headboards, arrows and flags pre-fitted - Exclusive to Hatton's Image Courtesy of Colour-Rail. OO71-004HAT - Class 71 E5013 in BR Blue with full Golden Arrow headboards, arrows and flags pre-fitted - Exclusive to Hatton's Image Courtesy of Colour-Rail. Both locomotives will be supplied pre-fitted with the Golden Arrow headboard and dual French / Union Flags ( one end only) as well as bodyside arrow emblem. The latter will feature on both ends of E5015 and one end of E5013 as per photographs of the Golden Arrow’s last journey. All of the above additions will be separately fitted etched parts. We intend to have pre-production samples of both locomotives shortly. Having seen a decorated sample of the Class 71 (as no doubt many of you will have seen on Dave’s own thread ) we’re certainly impressed with the quality of the production and look forward to being able to show you more. Both models are available to order for £139.95. Thanks to Andy York for allowing us to use images of the colour samples of the DJM Class 71. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Apologies for the incorrect terminology I used earlier - when referred to 'otherwise as delivered' I meant the locos were still in 'Great Western' livery when steps were fitted, not that they were fresh out of the shops, as it were. Sorry for any confusion this has caused. To confirm, the tooling will not accommodate the initial design featuring no bodyside steps and the subsequent lack of the associated handrail and lower step modifications. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, I'm posting this one from the workbench at home so I haven't got every resource I usually have RE the locos to hand, however if you want some in-depth info on fitting air and vaccum pipes to brake vans, I'm your guy! Edwardian - As we have not tooled up the bunker variation without footsteps, the locomotives chosen in the as delivered liveries represent those that we have photographs of fitted with bunker steps but are otherwise 'as delivered'. The later examples you refer to are all correct for not having the top feed in the guises shown - the introduction of this for the class wasn't an overnight change with some locos not receiving the modification for several years, if at all. Cheers, Dave

In preservation it is indeed polished highly, in service the band was not painted but quickly discoloured and got covered by grime from the exhaust soot, period pictures do show ex-works locos with brass bands here.

Hi Rob The orange band is actually brass coloured strip. On the real loco it is a brass strip which covers the join between the smokebox and the boiler barrel. You can see it quite clearly in this image of 1450 at Didcot. Hope this helps. Cheers Dave

We have had a visit from Dave Jones today and he dropped us off a box of exciting goodies! Below are the images of the 2nd EP samples of our forthcoming 14xx and they look very good. Not only do they include all of the rivet detail and small parts that were not included on the 1st EP they are also decorated showing the GWR liveries (BR to follow). There are some parts that have not been fitted to some of the locos (whistles and pipes for example) but these are meant for us to check the livery application and colours, there is still a final sample with all of these included to be delivered once these are signed off. The locos are still available to pre-order, just follow the link on the product you would like to order. Let us know what you think. H1401 - Class 48xx 0-4-2 4825 in GWR Unlined green with Great Western lettering H1402 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5814 in GWR Unlined green with Great Western lettering - Lightly weathered H1403 - Class 48xx 0-4-2 4871 in GWR Unlined green with Shirtbutton logo - Lightly weathered H1404 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5808 in GWR Unlined green with Shirtbutton logo H1405 - Class 48xx 0-4-2 4807 in GWR Wartime black with G W R lettering - Lightly weathered H1406 - Class 14xx 0-4-2 1420 in GWR Unlined green with G W R lettering H1407 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5802 in GWR Unlined green with G W R lettering - Lightly weathered H1411 - Class 58xx 0-4-2 5801 in BR Unlined green with G W R lettering - Lightly weathered The number plate is mounted, as on the real locomotive, using 2 brackets and a separate plate.

Hi Les, I can confirm that 68012 will be receiving oval buffers but will be without its rear bunker ladder, which the loco ran without for the latter years of its Cromford life as portrayed by our release. 68006 retained its ladder until the end. A great comparison photo is available on Flickr HERE - not mine unfortunately (not until the time machine is invented anyway!) - 68006 is closest to camera with 68012 piloting. Jaf, regarding release date, we'll be able to confirm exact dates shortly but can confirm that these should be with us soon. Cheers, Dave

None of the ten we're producing are suitable for wartime operation, with eight in industrial guises, one in BR livery and a final example in Army green, but as per the post war deployment of the locomotives the MoD continued to own. Our final weathered sample has arrived from Mercig showcasing Mountain Ash No.8 in the condition it was well known for in the late 1970s. We couldn't resist producing this one and after seeing the pictures below I'm sure you'll understand why! I've left the images at their full sizes ( the best way to appreciate the details! ) so please click the thumbnails to show these. All ten locos are getting very close to release now and we'll be able to confirm full details in due course. Cheers, Dave

Here's another to look at! It's another North West NCB example - Hunslet 3830 in NCB Green, as based at Bickershaw Colliery in the mid-late 1970s. Again, this is the weathering sample produced by Mercig that we'll be sending to China to act as the sample for production. We've also added product images for the majority of the locos on our website however make sure you scroll through this thread too to see the hi-res photos that have been previously added. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Dapol’s “Max discount of 15%” pricing policy applies to all retailers, regardless of where product is sourced from. Updated RRP’s were distributed by email yesterday afternoon to all suppliers and are effective immediately. Joel Bright, MD of Dapol has confirmed to me today that they (and their wholesalers) will not supply to any retailer advertising or supply at prices lower than 15% off the RRP. This includes honouring items pre-ordered at a lower price i.e. if an item rises from £90 to £100 RRP then then it has to be retailed at £85 or more, regardless of pre-orders placed at an earlier, lower price We’ve been assured to expect other retailers to be amending their listings very soon to come into line with the Dapol pricing policy. Cheers Dave

Hi, After initial research into the locos it was found that 1420, when in GWR condition, did not have the features listed. We have photographic evidence of this and so we felt we had to either change the running number or the details. As this better represents a post-war GWR loco, we changed the details to mean the number matched what was in our image. We are aware 1420 is preserved in the condition which you require but, as we already have 1450 in preserved condition, we decided to make this accurate to the GWR period. I know that this is now not exactly what you want, we have tried to keep things to as we announced but when we get new research materials handed to us showing something different we have to make a decision on how to change. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, To clarify, I understand there's been a bit of an operational issue with our system which will be resolved first thing tomorrow morning. Please accept my apologies for any confusion and inconvenience its caused but everything should be back to normal as soon as possible all pre-orders 'as they were'. If you've any specific queries or concerns please email or phone us directly but bear in mind we're not back in 'the office' until 0700 tomorrow. Cheers, Dave

Hi all, For those who like their austerities clean, we've had further livery samples from Dave Jones of J9401, J9402 and J9408 which are all now finalised. The red on Mech Navvies has changed (although this isn't immediately apparent in the photos) and is now darker and richer compared to the previous images. Further images of all three locos (and also J9407) have been added to the pages above. Cheers, Dave